Monday, October 25, 2010

I paint the beauty of what cannot be named but only can be pointed to through observation of the mystery and majesty of this world.

As Rudolph Otto observed, our response to the numinous is unique and one of fascination.

He believed that every person on the planet has the capacity to perceive the numinous,

however, it must be received into consciousness; it cannot be taught.

The work whispers into the viewer’s consciousness to remember the numinous.

The response to the whisper of the colors on the canvas usually is a sense of peace.

My contemplative approach to oil painting centers around sunrises and sunsets, when, as the mystics say, there is a crack in the sky between heaven and earth. It is a special time of day when one feels awe and beauty. The numinous is present.

My work provides a space to share the contemplation, or as Plato spoke about, the primordial truth.

Friday, October 22, 2010

"Time is not a field
to be measured in rods
nor a sea
to be measured in miles
it is a heart beat"Kazantzakis

This is my philosophy on life which I have held since college.
Our hearts are connected to the spirit within us and with each other.
The beating of our hearts together is why we exist on this planet.
Everything else supports our gentle, loving connection.
Listen to your heart beat today.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

What is Contemplative Art?

The product of creative expression
arising
out of the pure joy of creating,
grounded in a contemplative connection
to the "radiance and perfection" of spirit,
known only through one's experience of
being
fully human.

This is a definition that I decided upon after years of reading about the contemplative process from may points of views and spiritual groundings. It is my experience of making contemplative art.

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Contemplative Art Classes & Workshops

If you have always wanted to draw in your own style in a supportive atmosphere or wanted to draw from a meditative point-of-view, these are the workshops for you.

As you begin to draw, you will quickly discover your inner intuitive process to create a personal expression you had no idea you could complete when you began to draw.

For participants with no art-making experience, you will have the opportunity to discover your creativity in a safe, supportive environment.

For experienced artists, you will find the workshops helpful to expand your creative experience to include a meditative approach to your personal expression.

Saturday Art Workshops

for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Artists

Color Theory for Artists

At each session, you will receive handouts about the history, meaning and associations with the six complimentary colors, and, white, black & gray. By the end of the workshop series, you will understand the subtleties of color through the experience of discovering your personal pallet. No art experience is necessary.

Saturday Art Workshop

Each month we will look at different ways to express yourself through composition, color theory and other topics to enhance your personal expression

Evolution of Abstraction

Each month we will look at one artist or a group of artists in detail to discover how their style contributed to what we know as "abstraction". We will analyze their style, choice of colors and themes. We will take inspiration from their perspectives and creativity to inspire our own personal expression. No art experience is necessary.